The Israeli defence minister has vowed to respond with "great force" if Iran attacks Israel in an attempt to prevent the implementation of an agreement with Lebanon.
"If Iran tries to attack Israel to prevent the implementation of the agreement, we will act against it with great force," Israel Katz said in a video statement on Saturday, adding that the agreement with Lebanon had dealt a "strategic blow to the Iranian axis".
Katz also said that Israeli forces had been ordered to prepare for an extended stay in the so-called security zone in southern Lebanon after Israel and Lebanon agreed on a framework to end hostilities.
He said the Israeli military would remain in the area, which extends up to 10 kilometres inside Lebanese territory, until Hezbollah was disarmed across Lebanon.
"The important principle established in the agreement is that there will be no redeployment by Israel in southern Lebanon, no withdrawal, as long as Hezbollah is not disarmed throughout Lebanon," he said.
Israeli attacks despite deal
Despite the agreement, Israeli forces carried out fresh attacks in southern Lebanon on Saturday, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported.
The attacks were the first since Beirut and Tel Aviv signed the framework in Washington on Friday.
Israeli drones struck several locations in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, including near Farah Amusement Park, the Al-Manzaleh neighbourhood and the town square, NNA said.
Israel later carried out another strike on the town, while Israeli forces also fired stun grenades towards Baraachit and opened fire near Kfar Shouba, the agency said.
The agreement focuses on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and the deployment of the Lebanese army in areas currently occupied by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
Israel continues to occupy parts of southern Lebanon, with some areas under occupation for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war.
Since March 2, 2026, Israel has killed 4,243 people, wounded 12,186 others, and displaced more than 1 million people in Lebanon, according to official Lebanese figures.
